Eurpoean city in December

[DakotaFanny]

Hi,

It's my 40th this winter and hubby and I have got 3 (maybe 4) child free nights for a weekend break. We would like somewhere: a bit oldy worldy with lots of nice bars and restaurants, a few interesting sights and maybe a bit of shopping. We like wandering, mooching, drinking too much lager and eating nice meals.

We would be flying from either East Midlands or Birmingham and would have a total budget of around £1k, including flights, hotel and spending. Our favourite place is Prague, which we have been to many times, but we'd like somewhere different to make it a bit 'special'. Somewhere similar would be great....

Considerations so far have been Venice (read it wasn't that amazing at this time of year?), Rome (think too expensive) and Amsterdam. I'd really appreciate your ideas though. Thank you!

Dakota!

Madrid is great.

Krakow is lovely, and your money will go far.
Budapest is great too.

Vienna is lovely.

Berlin or Budapest gets my vote.

Berlin also a great place to visit. I wasn't that keen on Budapest.

Agree with Berlin too. But in December can be bitterly cold.

Barcelona

Beautiful city - great culture, great food, good shopping, walking city - and will be lovely to have a bit more warmth and sun in December.

Ljubljana in Slovenia. Beautiful and compact city. Have only been in height of summer mind so I don't know how cold it will get in the winter

Seville is lovely in December, or Granada. Great food, relaxed, amazing architecture (the Alhambra etc).

Or you can go for the Christmas market cold weather thing and go somewhere like Hamburg or Copenhagen?

I'm okay with proper cold if it is balanced out by lovely matkets and hot chocolate!

Barcelona does appeal though- which area would you recommend hotel wise- i always end up feeling a bit confused by Barcelona districts.

Thanks for all input so far- some new ideas definitely worth a closer look!

The main 'walking' area is the Ramblas. I'd look for a hotel in that area. It is charming, and very central.

Is it cobbled streets etc? I know there's lots of lovely buildings...but is that in an arty, colourful way or.Historical way? Lots of bars and restaurants?

Yes, all of that. I've not been there for several years, but it is very charming. If you wander into the historic district (right in the area) there are many cafes. It is not far to see the various things built by Gaudi (cathedral, etc), and you can also easily get to the harbour/port.

A quick Google search brought up this website
www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/ramblas/barcelona-las-ramblas.html

I'm sure there must be some informative threads about it here on Mumsnet. Have a search and see what you find.

Anywhere Northern European at that time of year. Especially Vienna and Munich for Christmas markets.

I've just searched 'Barcelona' in the 'short haul ' topic here on Mumsnet, and there are many, many threads. Hopefully some of them will be useful for trip planning purposes!

Budapest

Another vote for Vienna, a most beautiful city, fab food and bars, lots to see. I once went between Christmas and New Year and the decorations were stunning, buildings wrapped in scarlet ribbon, huge balls of greenery, just lovely!

Cologne or Berlin are great in December for the Christmas markets.

Vienna, Berlin or Barcelona.

In Barcelona I'd stay a little north of the Ramblas, rather than 'on' it - it's very touristy, a bit grimy and more expensive around there. The friends I have who live out there say it's the only place they ever feel unsafe when they're out of an evening.

Vienna is wonderful, very picturesque Northern European city. It suits winter very well, they have outdoor ice rinks, lots of hot chocolate, and generally very lovely window shopping and sightseeing. Go to Demmel, they do amazing things with chocolate!

And Berlin is just... Cool. There are lots of bars, loads and loads of things to see (particularly to do with the wars, obviously), but also interesting architecture, good museums, the state (and chamber) orchestra put on a lot of shows, and they have fantastically twee winter markets too. Plus Ka De We is good for an afternoon browsing.

Or Lisbon? Lots of architecture, museums, great restaurants and coffee shops, day trip to Sintra, Cascais

I would say Salzburg. The Alps in the background will be just stunning covered in snow.

Personally I would avoid the German cities that have the big Christmas markets but that's probably because I hate enormous crowds.

Barcelona. I went for a long weekend in July with my DP. Stayed in a nice (not too expensive hotel which I would recommend) and really enjoyed the sightseeing etc.